The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-20
Criminal Court o, Shelby county; therefore

criminal Court OF Shelby county; therefore
be II
Resolusd, That this Council. having q long
and intimate know edge of the conduct and
character of mr.. Hidden, as tho chi Il OK
ecutiye officer Of the Dis riot, and Of the
manner In which he has conducted the busi,
ness of the District, expresses Us liked ana
confidence in the integrity
and sound judgment controlling his actions
ms such president, and an unshaken cont-
dcnoo that he will fully vindicate himself
against any and all charges Of private or
public misconduct or wrong.
2. That not doubling his ability fully and
successfully TO meet and repol all charges OF
private wrong. and o. using bis ONCE ior
private and selfish purposes, this Council
deem, II At JUNCTION TO say that IN so far as
ing contracts for material, paving or otbor,
wise, Mr.. Hidden has acted with the full
knowledge and sanction of this Council. nnd
has, In the opinion ofihis Council, thereby
saved thousands Of dollars 70 the city.
Hidden q conduct be at all subject to crit-
cism Il Ia because he has too sealously and
exactingly guarded the treasury an inter-
ests of the municipality against those rs.
sAults that. In every city, are active and
this Couno !, the attacks; past and present,
upon Mr.. fladden, have been mainly intti-
gated by persons interested, foiled and de-
feated 10 their purposes.
Capt. Lee took the chair, announced
the subject open fer discussion, and
Dol. J. L Rsndle moved Its adoption.
II was unanimously carried.
MIR. Wallace jDCulrrly observed that
the members wou d remember he sug-
pested, when II was proposed to
change the name OF Causey stree. TO
Hidden avenue, 10 ns:.sS " nor some
dead man. Now here comes the
charge that he has stolen ten houses.
The little pleasant byplsy crta'ed
hearty laughter.
mr.. Randle moved that each mem.
Der Of the Council sign the document,
and that it be filed away in the
archives. Carried.
FBKLING, BUT FIRM REPLY.
regret the occasion giving rise 10 the ex:
preston of confidence In my integrity and
teel profoundly Inundated that 1t should
have been called In question, At the same
time am grateful to you for the passage Of
II would ordinarily be your due, as my col
Leagues, that l should mako 10 you some
statement as to the charges made against me,
and would willingly do so, but Tor tho fact
that they are now the subjects of judicial in
vestiEation which do not care 10 forestall,
and which, so far as | can control, shall be
speedy and thorouIh. i cannot refrain,
however, from saying that every act of mine
has been either matter Of record on your
books OF we'll knoWn to you. That l have
done nothing secretly or In tho dark, Az ID
that the event will prove your conf ience 10
not mistaken,
II tho real object Of the proceedings in the
the Criminal Court against me Is simply to
enforce the law and maintain in Its integ-
rity the Taxing District government, then
tits TO be commented, and have no com
plant to make. On tho other hand, Ii the
n achiueny Of the court has been directed
against me ior the qualification of personal
feeling and 10 strike q blow at our munici
pal system a q widesprs ad public eent'
ment seems to indicate then Ihave tho SAINT
right that every Other citizen has to call at
tenton TO facts.
Whatever may be the motive, l person
ally welcome the fullest scrutiny OF my
official and personal conduct and avail
patti lntly tho Judgment of the court and o
this people, whose servant am.
HADDRN AVENUE oBJKcTs.
Mr.. l. Lehman appeared as a repre-
sentative Of MADDEN avenue propeit!
owners, protesting against giving thu
dummy line of street cars right 20
way over that thoroughfare. Tit
president explained that the contrac
hao already been entered into, anC
the only remedy Was in the courts.
The Council then adjourned.